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Use it or lose it: Guess what people are doing?
Senior Correspondent Mike Causey and some federal benefits experts guessed that lighter traffic in the D.C. area may be due to feds staying home during use-it-o...
On Monday, and again yesterday, lots of us Washington area commuters noted that things were a lot better (as in lighter traffic) than usual. There were the usual glitches and bottlenecks. But not so many cars on the road.
Several keen observers, who also monitor federal benefits, said it is because December is use-it-or-lose-it annual leave month. We asked readers if this might be the case. Many said you betcha. For instance:
- “In your Monday column you asked where we, the federal workers of Washington were yesterday. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I was home in bed. No rush hour. No quick stop at the 7-Eleven for coffee. I got to stay home because I have been frugal with my annual leave usage.
“December is indeed, as you pointed out, use-it-or-lose-it month, so guess what? I’m am using it and I hope others are too. We earned it.” — No Guilt Gary
- “Like the bad guy in ‘The Dancing Men’ Sherlock Holmes story, I can say ‘Am Here Abe Slaney’ except that I am not Abe Slaney. But, I am here — at desk.
So here I am, working during December while the rest of the lab is quite quiet. It will not be till 2015 that I hit leave category 8, so I do not accumulate days off quite so fast.
“And, being co-located with N.C. State U., I have several insect taxonomy friends who like to get together for birthday bashes. Interestingly enough, four have June birthdays and four have December birthdays. Is there something about being born in June or December that eminently pre-qualifies one to become a classically trained insect taxonomist? I will leave that for you to ponder.
“December’s bash is this Friday, so I plan to be present. So, have a great December — working or not.” — Jim Smith
- “I have been retired for 12 years but still enjoy your column online. So I am not working today.” Vern
- “A couple of factors may be responsible for Tuesday’s relatively light traffic, and all those Zone 2 parking spaces near my office. Two suburban counties (in Virginia) had two-hour delays because of snow and icy road conditions. They are in higher elevation, rural parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties. That said, I think your experts are correct. December is indeed use-it-or-lose-it month. I know a lot of people who are burning up annual leave. Including myself. Cheers to all who are off this week, or month!” — Diane at Census
- “I’ll tell you who is working this week. People like me with unused annual leave I can carry over into 2015. I am retiring on Jan. 3 (CSRS) and thanks to you and Tammy Flanagan I know I can cash in my unused annual leave, most of it at the slightly higher 2015 pay rate, and lower my 2014 taxes at the same time. A nice way to end a very nice career. Happy New Year!” — Nick in California
Too Many Feds, Or Not Enough
When most people identify problems with government, one of them is too many bureaucrats. The “reformers” of both political party implement things like sequestration and automatic across-the-board cuts. But is there a case for more federal employees? Are we (the taxpayers) being taken for ride on the downsizing government bus? Check out today’s Your Turn radio show for an interview with a Big Government advocate.
NEARLY USELESS FACTOID:
The Martini was the most searched for cocktail on Google during the month of October 2014.
Source: Google
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Mike Causey
Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
Follow @mcauseyWFED
